Selena Gomez Says She’ll Never Be Able to Fix Her Mental Health

The singer and actress spoke to Harper's Bazaar all about her struggles with anxiety and depression — and her outlook on mental health.

But she’s still coping, just like many other celebrity women

Mood and anxiety disorders are common — in Canada, it’s estimated that over 3 million adults suffer from an anxiety/mood disorder and most of us have been touched by it in some way. Your favourite musicians and actresses are no exception. Here are the celebs that have chosen to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health and speak out about their struggles.

Selena Gomez on mental health

The 25-year-old singer and actress recently told Harper’s Bazaar about her struggles with depression and anxiety. “I’ve had a lot of issues with depression and anxiety, and I’ve been very vocal about it, but it’s not something I feel I’ll ever overcome,” says Gomez. “There won’t be a day when I’m like, “Here I am in a pretty dress — I won!” I think it’s a battle I’m gonna have to face for the rest of my life, and I’m okay with that because I know that I’m choosing myself over anything else.”

Selena Gomez isn’t the only one who struggles with her mental health. Many other celebrity women have spoken out about how they deal with depression, anxiety and OCD:

Emma Stone

The Oscar-winning actress told Rolling Stone that she started experience anxiety at seven years old. “At a certain point, I couldn’t go to friends’ houses anymore — I could barely get out the door to school.” Stone used therapy and performing to cope. “I started acting at this youth theater, doing improv and sketch comedy,” she told Stephen Colbert. “You have to be present in improv, and that’s the antithesis of anxiety.”

Jennifer Lawrence

The Oscar winner has spoken out about anxiety triggered by being in the spotlight, saying she has a prescription. “I find a certain peace by thinking of me in public as sort of an avatar self. You out there can have the avatar me. I can keep me,” she told The New York Times. “And I just try to acknowledge that this scrutiny is stressful, and that anyone would find it stressful.”

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has been on a personal mission to speak out about her mental illnesses and nix stigma. “Exercising is [one] way I deal with anxiety,” she told Women’s Health Mag UK. “Painting, and writing music and expressing myself through art are other ways that I can release emotions.” The singer/actress also practices meditation. “Whatever it is, it’s important to find what works for you.”

Lena Dunham

The Girls star has been vocal about taking medication for her anxiety, OCD and depression — eventually adding exercise into the equation. “To those struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression: I know it’s mad annoying when people tell you to exercise, and it took me about 16 medicated years to listen,” said Dunham on Instagram. “I’m glad I did. It ain’t about the ass, it’s about the brain.”